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Hiv Aids Essay

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Awareness for the Future

Atlanta Karenina L. Yap

Philippine Women’s College of Davao

The first day of December commemorates World AIDS Day, a celebration for HIV-AIDS awareness. People all over the world have gathered to honor this day and to support this advocacy. But what is HIV and AIDS? How much do people really know about this disease? Why is it such an important matter for the world? These are just some questions which most people, especially the youth, cannot answer.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HIV is a type of retrovirus that affects the cells of the immune system. Once a person is infected with HIV, his immune system becomes weaker and more susceptible to other infections. The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or more commonly known as AIDS, is the most advanced stage of HIV infection. However, a person infected with HIV does not necessarily develop AIDS immediately, but it could take 10-15 years before he does.

HIV can be transmitted in five ways: through unprotected sexual intercourse, transmission of contaminated blood, sharing of contaminated needles, mother to child transmission during pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Contrary to popular belief, HIV cannot be transmitted through kissing, hugging, or shaking hands. In addition, sharing eating utensils or bathroom facilities does not transmit HIV.

As of 2011, UNAIDS has recorded an estimated 34 million adults and children living with HIV. This figure has increased from 29.4 million during 2001. However, the number of newly infected persons has decreased from 3.2 million in 2001 to 2.5 million in 2011. Deaths pertaining to AIDS have also decreased from 1.9 million to 1.7 million. These figures show a significant improvement in the reduction of HIV cases in the world. In the Philippines, it is estimated

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